Thinking Like a Scientist

Thinking Like a Scientist

Thinking Like a Scientist What are 5 skills scientists use to learn more about the world? Observing Inferring Predicting Classifying Making Models

Observations • An observation is the gathering of information by using our five senses: Sight

Observations • An observation is the gathering of information by using our five senses: Smell

Observations • An observation is the gathering of information by using our five senses: Hearing

Observations • An observation is the gathering of information by using our five senses: Taste

Observations • An observation is the gathering of information by using our five senses: Touch

Observations There are two types of observations • Quantitative • Qualitative

Quantitative Observations • Quantitative observations measure what we observe. • “Quantitative” = quantity (numerical)

Quantitative Observations • These observations use numbers to measure something in a quantitative way. • Example: The flower has seven petals. • Example: You have 8 new emails.

Qualitative Observations • Qualitative observations describe what we observe. • “Qualitative” = quality (descriptive)

Qualitative Observations • These observations use adjectives to describe something. • Example: The flower has white petals. • Example: The lemon tastes sour

Which is better? • Both types of observations are valuable in science. • Qualitative: The road is long. (describes) • Quantitative: The road is 5 km long. (measures)

Which is better? • Sometimes scientists need to quantify qualitative observations. • For example, someone might say that a dead fish is smelly. • It is hard to know just how smelly the fish is though.

Which is better? • To make this quantitative, the scientist could ask the person to rate the “smelliness” on a scale of 1-5. • This would then allow you to compare how smelly the fish is!

1 = Least Smelly5 = Most Smelly

Qualitative or Quantitative? • There are 15 flowers with white petals • The email is long • The surface feels rough • The leaf is 9 cm long

Qualitative vs Quantitative Observations Individual Activity

Inferences • When you explain or interpret the things you observe, you are inferring, or making an inference. • They are based on reasoning from what you already know

Inferences • Inferences are often changed when new observations are made. • Observations are information we gather directly through our five senses….Inferences help explain those observations!

Here are some examples! • Observation: The grass on the school’s front lawn is wet. • Possible inferences: • It rained. • The sprinkler was on. • There is dew on the grass from the morning. • A dog urinated on the grass!

Here are some examples! • Observation: The school fire alarm is going off. • Possible inferences: • The school is on fire. • We are having a fire drill. • A student pulled the fire alarm.

Last one! • Observation: A student is sitting in the main office. • Possible inferences: ? Why might a student be sitting there?

What Inferences can you make about this picture?

Observation vs Inference Individual/Group Activity

Predicting • Making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence

Predicting • Inferences are attempts to explain what is happening or has happened • Predictions are forecasts of what will happen

Predicting • What do you think will happen next?

Predicting vs Inferring Individual/Group Activity(worksheet) Analyzing Data and Predicting Individual/Group Activity (page 9 – Math analyzing data)

Classifying • The process of grouping together items that are alike in some way

Classifying • Helps you stay organized • Organizing a notebook by subject and date helps you find things later

Classifying • Classifying complex behaviors makes it easier to study and compare

Making Models • Involves creating representations of complex objects or processes • Models help people study and understand things that are complex or that can’t be observed directly

Examples of Models • Globes • Charts • Movie sets • Pictures • Maps • Computer models • Diagrams

Making Models • Models are only representations of a real object or process • An object or process may be represented by many different types of models • Some information may be missing from a model

Examples of Models • A model that traces a chimp’s travel over the course of 1 day

Examples of Models A Scientific Model Individual/Group Activity • Read the information about the two different models of the solar system and answer the 7 questions.

Scientific Attitudes What is Science? • Science is a way of learning about the natural world • Successful scientists possess certain important attitudes, or habits of mind

Scientific Attitudes • Curiosity • Honesty • Open-Mindedness and Skepticism • Creativity

Scientific Attitudes • Curiosity • An important attitude that drives scientists • Question • Explore • Investigate

Scientific Attitudes • Honesty • Good Scientists always report their observations and results truthfully

Scientific Attitudes • Open-Mindedness and Skepticism • Scientists need to be open-minded – capable of accepting new and different ideas

Scientific Attitudes • Open-Mindedness and Skepticism • Scientists also need to be skeptical – having an attitude of doubt

Scientific Attitudes • Creativity • Coming up with inventive ways to solve problems or produce new things

Thinking Like a Scientist